Lucky 13 Zombie bullets

[loose noose]

I just ordered some bullets from Lucky 13 that have free shipping in 9mm as well as .45acp. I was wondering if anybody here has used these bullets in their reloading endeavors. Note they have a green polymer coating on the bullets. Now are these a powder coating that I've heard others on this forum discussing them, and are they worth the bother?

 

[moxie]

No.
It's well known that green polymer is ineffective against zombies. Only silver bullets will do the job.

 

[Toprudder]

I've been to the L13 facility. The owner is a very nice guy, and showed me the operation. He was coating some of the bullets while I was there.

Yes, the coating is powder coat. He tumbles the bullets with the powder, runs them through an oven, and repeats to ensure complete coverage.

The bullets are from the same molds he uses for his cast lead bullets, so they have the lube grooves. My preference would be to have coated bullets without a lube groove, as the groove is not needed. This would leave more bearing surface which, I think, would make them more accurate.

I've only shot a few test samples that he gave me, in 9mm and 40. They seemed accurate enough and I got decent velocity spreads with them.

In the 40, I noticed what appeared to be a little leading, but just on the lands of the rifling, not the grooves. I did not notice this on the 9mm, but with the 9mm, I shot the L13 first and then followed up with some plated loads I had worked up, so I don't know if the plated bullets helped clear away any leading or not.

I know several guys in this area that use them and really like them.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

No.
It's well known that green polymer is ineffective against zombies. Only silver bullets will do the job.

Ummm, NO, that would be for Werewolves... Really now!

 

[loose noose]

Thank you toprudder, for the info, BTW thank you also Moxie, I'll keep that in mind, I do believe I have a few of the silver bullets available just in case.

Toprudder, I thought the reason for powder coating the bullets were to eliminate the leading altogether in cast bullets?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The bullets are from the same molds he uses for his cast lead bullets, so they have the lube grooves. My preference would be to have coated bullets without a lube groove, as the groove is not needed. This would leave more bearing surface which, I think, would make them more accurate.

All more bearing surface does is increase pressures. If a lube groove made bullets inaccurate someone would find a way to make them go away from all bullets.

 

[loose noose]

What is the reason then for powder coating cast bullets? Please quest my thirst for knowledge, as I've been reloading for over 40+ years and never heard of such thing until I've joined this forum.

 

[el indio]

everybody knows that in order to kill a zombie, you shoot them in the head. it doesn't matter what bullet you use

 

[oldpapps]

How silly.
Everyone know that Zombies don't exist except in Haiti, some parts of Africa and Washington D.C. And they appear to be protected game. Well, I've never seen a legal season for them.

 

[lauderdale]

Will a powder coated .380 enable one if placed in the right spot!

 

[loose noose]

Come on guys, all I want to know is do powder coated bullets, help with the performance of cast bullets. I'm sure you all know what a commodeian is.

 

[Paddy]

Lots of people do think they improve performance. Even some mfg are agreeing, proved by their offerings of coated bullets. I've been experimenting with the process at home, and i like them for a few reasons, not the least of which is that I don't have as much lead exposure while loading mags and cleaning guns. Plus, they kinda look cool.

 

[golfhack]

Performance is the same. Same load data and I cannot tell any difference in accuracy. Difference for me is no leading and reduced smoke. The Zombie bullets look like powder coat. I've also used the Hi-tek coating - both work well.

 

[oldpapps]

"do powder coated bullets, help with the performance of cast bullets."
loose noose

To this question, no.
Powder coating is no more than a coating to prevent leading. If properly coated and loaded, no leading will occur. From that point every thing changes, just a little in some ways and a lot in others. There are way to many variables to make a blanket statement about the capabilities and degrees of stress/velocities before unknown coatings with begin to have detrimental results.
There must be a point that 'it' fails. I haven't found it so far, not that I am looking.

In general....
Velocities can well reach the same as those for jacketed bullets of the same weight. My questions remain unanswered, is the same degree of accuracy obtainable? (I have macular degeneration and run into a problem with this). What, if any, effects do increased pressure/velocities have on obturation (if that is how it is spelled) of soft/er alloy leads?

For me or my uses. I don't see any value of coating bullets that will not be pushed to velocities that can lead. I only shoot outside and lube burn off doesn't effect me.
I'm lazy and I know that if I worked at it, I could paper patch and shoot rifle velocities with no problems or with a lot of testing, find 'the' size and lube to be able to push very, very fast. But, I'm just too lazy. Powder coating is not the only route to follow but is one that I am using.

 

[Reefinmike]

What is the reason then for powder coating cast bullets? Please quest my thirst for knowledge, as I've been reloading for over 40+ years and never heard of such thing until I've joined this forum.

you can tumble powder coat bullets easy enough with some airsoft bb's, a plastic container and harbor freight red powder coat($5/lb 7000-9000 bullets coated per lb). Its essentially the same process as tumble coating alox lubed bullets cept you gotta pick the bullets out with tweezers and bake em for 10 minutes. There are a couple loads that I still use plain ol alox tumble lube but I have switched over to powder coating for the most part. it gets rid of the sticky icky bullets(better for bulk loose storage in 50 cal cans), they look cool, they eliminate any leading, you can push em harder than before, and boy are they slick looking.

 

[GLOOB]

it gets rid of the sticky icky bullets

If this is an issue, you can wipe or tumble your bullets with mineral spirits after seating. All you need is the lube that is already below the case mouth!

Its essentially the same process as tumble coating alox lubed bullets cept you gotta pick the bullets out with tweezers and bake em for 10 minutes.

And stand 'em on end on a baking sheet! The only reason I would bother powder coating, myself, is for use in a gas-operated firearm, a revolver, or a blowback pistol. Actually, I wouldn't do that, either. I would just buy them, if already available! I have tried it and I don't see the appeal of baking itty batches of hand-placed bullets in a toaster oven. (I have tried baking 'em in a pile, and that didn't work out!) I have largely gotten around the need for powder coat by primarily shooting Glocks and bolt actions! No smoke, no fouling!

 

[Jeremy2171]

I shoot Lucky13 zombie coat bullets in my glock barrels....no leading..

I also load them in MANY different calibers..

30 carbine


.38 spl



7.62x39



7.62x25


30 car, x39, x54, .303, 7.7 jap.

 

[dbmjr1]

I've recently began using coated bullets from Bayou Bullets. These aren't powder coated, but coated with a product imported from Australia called Hi-Tek.

I've been using them in .30 carbine, 9mm, .38/.357, and .45 acp.

I began using them in the .30 carbine and the 9mm because they are so much less expensive than jacketed bullets, but will not foul the bore.

I moved to the other calibers because I was casting tumble lubed bullets in those calibers, and these are less of a mess.

Besides, for the price, I have a hard time justifying sitting in front of my electric pot all day. By the time I buy hard cast from Rotometals, I almost break even with Bayou Bullets without the labor. That's with a source of free lead too.

If the powder coat bullets perform like the Hi-Tek coated bullets, go for it. You can take one of Donnie's Bayou Bullets and hit it with a maul. The coating stays on. Won't flake off.

 

[loose noose]

I thank all you folks that came up with pertinent information on the powder coated bullets. I do believe I'll be quite satisfied with the Lucky 13 green bullets. Especially if they eliminate leading in my 9mm, note I've been getting just a bit of leading in my 9mm using my cast bullets, none in my .32acp, .38/.357, 380, .44/44Mag, very little in my .45acp, none in my Colt .45, and none in my rifle calibers using a gas check. I own several 9mm's as well as several .45acp, all quality type handguns (Colt, Sig Sauer, Beretta's etc.) Note I don't get slivers of lead, however just enough to make me have to work at it to get it cleaned out well, also like was mentioned before I've been reloading for over 40+ years, and do get my lead mixed properly as far as Brinell hardness is concerned.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Incendiary ammo for zombies. Burn em out!

 

[H&R Glock]

do you think that SS109 green nose .556 NATO rounds were made to enable NATO forces to shoot zombies? Maybe the government knows more than we do about this. It could happen! Consult your local Army recruiter for the truth.